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The Blues’ woeful record in Kiwi Super Rugby derbies has continued with a bruising 32-24 loss to the Crusaders in Auckland.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Blues 24
Crusaders 32
The Blues are out to break a 16-game winless streak against the competition-leading Crusaders. Join The Roar for live scores and blog starting from 5:35pm (AEST).
For the Blues, this is the second of four consecutive home matches, before they take to the road for the last two games of the regular season.
Things aren’t all doom and gloom just yet for the men in blue, who are in 12th, only trailing the eighth-placed Bulls by seven points, meaning a win tonight – while not improving their placing – could bridge the gap between them and finals football.
The Crusaders have the narrowest of gaps between them and the Hurricanes at time of writing, given the latter have a game in hand, so a bonus point will be their focus.
It is the first of two times this year that these clubs will play off, the Canterbury-based team having won the last five encounters dating back to 2015, with an average winning margin of 13.
You have to go back to Round 3 in 2014 to find a Blues win against last year’s premiers, suggesting that maybe a win is a step too far. At the same time however, the Saders have only won ten of their last 16 against New Zealand teams.
The Blues have won only three games this season, six fewer than tonight’s opponents, raising questions whether they deserve to be so close to a finals position.
Tana Umaga has been re-signed as a coach, a brave move given his team’s positions have hardly been outstanding, with an 11th, ninth, and currently 12th ranking.
For the Blues, Paulasi Manu comes into the front row for Ross Wright, while the second row sees Matiaha Martin debut, replacing Patrick Tuipulotu.
Dalton Papali may also slide into the backrow, while in the backs, Melani Nani will come on to the right wing, shifting Rieko Ioane left for Caleb Clarke, and Michael Collins will wear 23 on the bench.
The Crusaders make six changes, with Tim Perry replacing Joe Moody, Owen Franks in for Michael Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange trades places with Sam Whitelock, and Pete Samu drops to the bench for Heiden Bedwell-Curtis.
In the backs, George Bridge comes to the wing after his coach opted out of a potential match-up with Taqele Naiyaravoro last round, meaning David Havili moves into fullback, and Manasa Mataele heads onto the bench. Ryan Crotty also returns, taking Tim Bateman’s spot at 12.
A great battle at fullback looms, as Havili comes up against Matt Duffie.
Prediction
I can’t see the Blues knocking over the Crusaders for the first time since 2014.
Crusaders by 15.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.